GameCentral readers reveal how much they expect to spend on games this Christmas, with the next gen consoles about to launch.
The subject for this week’s Hot Topic was suggested by reader Penfold, who asked a very difficult question given the release of the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 and the difficulties caused by the coronavirus.
Around half the responses said they were intending to get a new console, but the rest are holding on to 2021 or later and only picking up current gen games this year.
Special year
My budget for Christmas is the PlayStation 5 and one game, which by reckoning is going to be £520, so an expensive year. I am hoping that I’ll get a couple of other game as presents, at least the slightly cheaper Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but obviously that’s out of my control.
Normally I’m not too strict about budgets at Christmas but between the coronavirus and the expensive of the new systems I feel I’m being a bit risky getting anything at all.
The problem is that this means no money for normal current gen games, so I’m not sure when I’ll get Cyberpunk 2077. What I may do now is wait until the dedicated PlayStation 5 version. I know there’s a free upgrade but I’d rather spread the cost and not have played the game in an inferior version first.
I’m sure Sony and Microsoft didn’t want to launch in the middle of a pandemic, so I’m not blaming anyone in particular, but I’m actually glad that so many games have been delayed at the moment.
Cribbins
A difficult year
Normally I’d have a fairly straightforward answer for this, even in a year with new consoles coming out but I have to say I don’t have a clue. In terms of game I’ll probably get at least two out of the following three, depending on reviews: Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and Cyberpunk 2077.
That’s about average for me between September and Christmas, so no problems there. But the consoles… I don’t know. If you’d asked me back in June I would’ve said the full fat PlayStation 5, no question. But given the mess Sony has been making of their messaging in the last few weeks and the increase in game prices… I’m seriously considering getting an Xbox Series S instead.
The problem is there’s no games on the Xbox I want or am even looking forward to in the future so instead I think I’ll probably just save the money and see how things shake out next year. I’ve no idea what will happen and I’ve got a feeling Sony are suddenly going to find themselves beaten on price and forced into a U-turn. If that happens I don’t want to be the shmuck that bought the PlayStation 5 or its games at full price, because I bet Sony won’t offer any refunds – just free games or something.
Kimble
Unexpected choice
I’ll be getting an Xbox Series S this year and Cyberpunk 2077. I had expected to be getting a PlayStation 5 but thanks to Sony’s flakiness, lack of information, and price rise on first party games I put that on the backburner. They can take their time to sort out their message later, but I haven’t got £600 sitting around to drop on a new console and no doubt not-that-great launch games.
But Xbox Series S and Game Pass has impressed me for value for money and with the purchase of Bethesda and addition of EA Play I could probably even do without Cyberpunk 2077 this year and still be happy (but I’m getting it anyway).
Strange how Microsoft has nailed it in terms of hardware and services but flopped harder than beached whale when it comes to games but I’ll take two out of three for now. Here’s to hoping my choice works out!
Coolsbane
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Strict budget
Christmas spending on games this year should be under £100 for me. I’m targeting new games but pre-owed. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2, Ghost Of Tsushima x 2 (one for me and a present) for, ideally, £20 each and the rest will go on Steam sale items, possibly The Surge 2 if I like the first game enough to keep playing it. Could have had The Surge 2 for £13 but I reckon for the Xmas/winter sale I could potentially get it for less than £10.
Outside of these I can’t think of any I want. I’m always checking for more VR games on the PS store but I will wait for the sales again as I recently got the Gun Club game and Until Dawn: Rush Of Blood for a tenner altogether.
Have to stick to that budget, as mentioned previously I will be going into a small debt for my next graphics card.
bobwallett
Calculated purchase
I don’t keep a budget in terms of a monetary amount but the number of games I’ll get. Normally it’s three but this year it will have to be just one. You’d think that would probably be Cyberpunk 2077 but though I definitely want that (depending on reviews) I’m actually going for Watch Dogs: Legion.
I want both and I figure I can wait for Cyberpunk 2077 until the new year when I expect its price will go down when the next gen versions come out. Just a guess really but it helps make the decision. Plus, I’ve got this hunch the game won’t sell as well as some people are thinking.
I remember GC pointing out in an interview with CD Projekt Red that cyberpunk has never been popular in movies or anything else, so why would it be in games? I think it’s got a better chance in games but I do think it might not be a draw for mainstream or casual gamers.
Olliephant
Not worth the risk
I wish I could get a PlayStation 5 this year, but I just can’t risk spending that kind of money this year. Not on a new console that will probably have some kind of hardware fault and no decent games.
I’ll probably just get Call Of Duty and Cyberpunk 2077 if the reviews are good, but that’s as far as I think is sensible. And I doubt I’m the only one having to make hard choices like that either.
Pengu
Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here
Medium to hardcore
Given the uncertainty over my job and the recent backlash against the PlayStation 5 my budget is rock bottom this year, but that’s okay because beyond the new consoles there really isn’t much coming out anyway.
I’ll be getting Cyberpunk 2077 and baring any unexpectedly good reviews that will probably be it. Spending even £250 on a console is too much for me at the moment and I assume I’m not the only person in the same position. In fact, I think that answers why the Xbox Series S didn’t sell out on the first day – there are enough hardcore fans to buy up all the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 straight away but the Xbox Series S is for more casual gamers and they were not so desperate to splash the cash.
And I say that as someone who would normally consider themselves a medium to hardcore gamer.
Badgerman
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